REVIEW ARTICLE Short-term Periodization Models: Effects on Strength and Speed-strength Performance Hagen Hartmann 1 • Klaus Wirth 1 • Michael Keiner 2 • Christoph Mickel 1 • Andre Sander 3 • Elena Szilvas 1 Ó Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015 Abstract Dividing training objectives into consecutive phases to gain morphological adaptations (hypertrophy phase) and neural adaptations (strength and power phases) is called strength-power periodization (SPP). These phases differ in program variables (volume, intensity, and exercise choice or type) and use stepwise intensity progression and concomitant decreasing volume, converging to peak intensity (peaking phase). Undulating periodization strate- gies rotate these program variables in a bi-weekly, weekly, or daily fashion. The following review addresses the effects of different short-term periodization models on strength and speed-strength both with subjects of different perfor- mance levels and with competitive athletes from different sports who use a particular periodization model during off- season, pre-season, and in-season conditioning. In most periodization studies, it is obvious that the strength endurance sessions are characterized by repetition zones (12–15 repetitions) that induce muscle hypertrophy in persons with a low performance level. Strictly speaking, when examining subjects with a low training level, many periodization studies include mainly hypertrophy sessions interspersed with heavy strength/power sessions. Studies have demonstrated equal or statistically significant higher gains in maximal strength for daily undulating periodization compared with SPP in subjects with a low to moderate performance level. The relatively short inter- vention period and the lack of concomitant sports condi- tioning call into question the practical value of these findings for competitive athletes. Possibly owing to dif- ferences in mesocycle length, conditioning programs, and program variables, competitive athletes either maintained or improved strength and/or speed-strength performance by integrating daily undulating periodization and SPP during off-season, pre-season and in-season conditioning. In high- performance sports, high-repetition strength training ( [ 15) should be avoided because it does not provide an adequate training stimulus for gains in muscle cross-sectional area and strength performance. High-volume circuit strength training performed over 2 years negatively affected the development of the power output and maximal strength of the upper extremities in professional rugby players. Indeed, meta-analyses and results with weightlifters, American Football players, and throwers confirm the necessity of the habitual use of C80 % 1 RM: (1) to improve maximal strength during the off-season and in-season in American Football, (2) to reach peak performance in maximal strength and vertical jump power during tapering in track- and-field, and (3) to produce hypertrophy and strength improvements in advanced athletes. The integration and extent of hypertrophy strength training in in-season con- ditioning depend on the duration of the contest period, the frequency of the contests, and the proportion of the con- ditioning program. Based on the literature, 72 h between hypertrophy strength training and strength-power training should be provided to allow for adequate regeneration times and therefore maximal stimulus intensities in train- ing. This conclusion is only valid if the muscle is not trained otherwise during this regeneration phase. Thus, rotating hypertrophy and strength-power sessions in a & Hagen Hartmann Hagen-Hartmann@online.de 1 Department of Human Movement Science and Athletic Training, Institute of Sports Sciences, Goethe University, Ginnheimer Landstr. 39, Frankfurt am Main 60487, Germany 2 Swimming Federation of the State Lower Saxony, Hannover, Germany 3 Bobsleigh and Luge Federation Germany, Berchtesgaden, Germany 123 Sports Med DOI 10.1007/s40279-015-0355-2